Graduate Student Requirements

The below Graduate Admissions requirements are commonly used to determine eligibility for admittance into a graduate-level program of study at the University of Idaho. Individual programs may have additional requirements to meet eligibility. To view program specific requirements and to apply, select a graduate program.

Applicants must have a minimum overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 grade scale equivalent to U.S. bachelor’s degree. If your GPA meets the minimum admission requirements, the department of major will determine if your overall academic record and test scores meet department requirements.

Note: If you do not meet the minimum 3.00 GPA, your application can be considered for admission if you:

earned an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher for your last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits

OR

worked in the program specific profession for 5+ years

obtained a letter of support from a faculty member in the department

written a detailed statement/essay describing your professional experience and potential to succeed academically

All graduate school applicants must possess the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree. An official academic record from all post-secondary education institutions attended is required. This may take some time so start this early in your application process.

In the instance that official records cannot be obtained, unofficial records may be used to consider your application. These documents are typically issued to the student and may be considered official after further review. This applies to cases where it is impossible to obtain the official records, and will be considered only on a case by case basis.

Domestic Applicants

Students must have a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association. If the degree is from a recognized but not regionally accredited institution, the application will be reviewed by the department and by the College of Graduate Studies.

International Applicants

For information about equivalency and required academic credentials by country of education page, use the Degree Equivalency Guide.

The University of Idaho recommends, and reserves the right to require, a professional credential evaluation by an outside, independent party. Reasons for outside review include, but are not limited to, verification of document authenticity, potential transfer credits and the wish to expedite the processing of an application file. You are responsible for supplying the correct academic records and paying for the evaluation service. You will need to request a course-by-course evaluation. Transferring Internationally earned credits requires a course-by-course professional credential evaluation.

U of I American Language & Culture Program (ALCP) with score of a Level 6/Advanced Pass

U.S. Education Earned Bachelor, or higher, degree at accredited U.S. institution

A waiver for this requirement is automatically granted to applicants whose education is from countries where English is an official/native language. For more information, visit our English language countries page.

Notes

All tests must have been taken within two years of the semester you are applying.

Some graduate programs have a higher requirement. If so, you will need to take the TOEFL, or equivalent test, and obtain the higher score prior to be granted regular admission.

Some graduate programs allow "conditional admission", which means admission may be granted to applicants who qualify academically, but have not yet achieved U of I minimum English language requirements. To view information and a list of programs accepting students on conditional admission, visit our conditional admission webpage.

Each application requires three (3) Letters of Recommendation (LOR). Gather the names and email addresses of your recommenders. You will need to enter this information to complete an online application. Remember to inform recommenders in advance that they will receive a communication when the application is submitted and the LOR will be uploaded by the recommenders as part of the application.

These letters must

Use university or company letterhead.

Come from teaching or research faculty in an area related to your anticipated field of study or a company supervisor who has worked with you, who can articulate your merits.

Include your full name on ALL materials and ensure uploads are LEGIBLE.

Any change in specific degree, major or semester before enrollment requires a new application (including uploaded material) and a non-refundable fee.

To be considered official, all academic records and test scores (ie. transcripts, degree certificates, GRE, TOEFL) must be sent directly from the institution and/or testing center to Graduate Admissions. When these items are submitted by applicants or educational consultants/agencies, approved or not, they are considered unofficial.

Unofficial items that applicants upload into the application include (if required):

Resume/Curriculum Vitae (required)

Statement of Purpose (required)

Scans of Official Transcripts (optional, see below)

Area of Emphasis Form (some programs)

Personal Information Form (some programs)

Writing Sample (some programs)

Portfolio (some programs)

Note: Failure to adhere to these requirements could delay your credential evaluation and/or admission to the University of Idaho. For more information or assistance, visit our documental resources page.

Unofficial Transcripts

Applicants may upload scanned copies of official transcripts and translations via the online application. Only scans of high quality (600 dpi or higher, front and back with grading keys/scales) from the University Registrar’s office, also known as original documents from your institution, are acceptable. These scans may be used to determine your acceptance into the program, however the official transcript documents will ultimately be required.

U.S. Institutions: Academic transcripts from each college or university attended must be received by Graduate Admissions directly from the awarding institution in the officially sealed envelope bearing the institution’s official seal, stamp, and/or appropriate signature.

Graduate Admissions accepts electronic transcripts from the National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment and Credentials eScrip-Safe. Check with your institution to see if they participate.

Current or former U of I students: If you have or are currently attending the U of I, you do not need to order U of I transcripts. Graduate Admissions will secure them for you.

International

Copy of passport for applicant and all accompanying dependents requiring a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20)

If currently in the U.S., copy of:

Visa

Current I-20

All students currently in F-1 status at any type of institution (college, university, intensive English institute) in the U.S. who plan to transfer to the University of Idaho must complete the transfer procedure through SEVIS. For more information, see the "Student Visa and SEVIS Information" drop-down below.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations require that every student verify the availability of funds to pay for educational and living expenses before an I-20 or DS-2019 form to obtain a visa to enter the U.S. can be issued.

Immigration regulations require that international students holding F-1 or J-1 student visas be certified as full-time students during the academic year. F-1 graduate students are required to be enrolled in nine credit hours and are allowed to take up to three credits of online coursework toward this requirement. J-1 visa holders are also required to enroll in nine credit hours, but are not allowed to take online classes toward the nine credit requirement.

Notes

Additional documents are required for international students, see the "International" section of the "Submitting Documents" drop-down above.

Not all programs are eligible for an F-1 or J-1. View the "Program Specific" drop-down or contact the program for information.

All students currently in F-1 status at any type of institution (college, university, intensive English institute) in the U.S. who plan to transfer to the University of Idaho must complete the transfer procedure through SEVIS.